1. Just about a year ago I joined the team at The Lunenburg Makery (see drawing of building above). I lot of my creative energy and love has gone into my work there which means after a great start to 2012, I instantly started neglecting my blogging duties here. I've been up to a lot of exciting things over there though. You should check it out.

2. In three weeks I'm starting an artist residency in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland. For one month I'll be residing in the town of Woody Point and soaking in all the wonderful things the natural world has to offer. I have a lot to do to get ready for this adventure which brings us to number three.

3. Sketchbook! Unless I'm traveling somewhere I've not been a great sketchbook keeper. At the start of April I picked up a new sketchbook and started picking away at it. This new practice coincided with my new years resolution to rejoin a local life drawing class. It was tough getting back into practice, but once everything fell back into place it felt simply wonderful. It is a great reminder to see everything around you as if you were traveling in a new place.

I just received a copy of Julia Rothman'sDrawn In: A peek into the inspiring sketchbooks of 44 fine artists, illustrators, graphic designers & cartoonists. Exploring this book has hammered into me the importance and freedom that comes with keeping a sketchbook. I picked up a small 7 x 10 inch book which means starting a new page isn't intimidating, not that drawing scares me. It is failure to draw that scares me.